Arm-support for crutches and the like.



F, A. PENNINGTON. AHM SUPFURT FOR CRUTCHES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.20. i917- Patened Nov. 20, 1917.

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FRANCES ANNIE PENNINGTON, or smocxroitr, ENGLAND'.`

.ABM-SULPIOBT FOR CRUTCI-IS .AND `THE LIKE.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANCES ANNIE PEN- NiNGToN, a subject of the King' of Great Britain, residing at Heaton Chapel, Stockport, in the county of Chester, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in Arm-Supports forCrutches and the like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates toimprovements in that type of armpit supports for crutches and the like which is provided with an air cushion and generally comprises a base, a cover securedv thereto and a valve controlled air bag located inside the said cover.

The object of my invention is the provision of means whereby the said air cushion is rendered very secure on its base and not liable to be pressed over the sides thereof, so as to render the support always very comfortable to the armpit.

I attain this object by the mechanism for example illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in Which- V Figure 1 is a side view of the upperV part of the crutch with armpit partly in section, and Fig. 2 is an end view, and'Fig. 3 a sec@ tional plan of Fig. 2 on line 3 3, and Fig. 4 a cross section of Fig. l on line 4 4 of the armpit support. Fig. 5 is a side view partly in section. Fig. 6 an end view, and Figs. 7 and 9 are cross sections, the former of Fig. 8 on line 7 7, Vand the latter of Fig. l also on line 4 -4 with base shown secured to a wooden support. Fig. 8 a sectional plan of Fig. 7 on line 8 8.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the figures generally, I form the base a of my improved armpit support of metal with a downwardly extending flange b at each side and a hole in the middle for the air inlet valve c on the bag d to project through.

The cover e inclosing the air bag I make of leather or other strong material with downwardly extending sides f adapted to be clamped to the flanges of the base a.

I may form the cover e with ends g stitched thereto and having each a downwardly extending flap h adapted to be turned inwardly to rest upon the said base and thus make up the cover at the bottom for a short distance, see Figs. 1 and 2.

In lieu of the said formation I may form each end g of the cover c with a circular specnieation of Lette-fs rat-ent.

Application filed January 20,1917. Serial No, 143,435,

blocked flange see Fig'. 5, adapted to-fit into .and be secured to the cover,'say by PatentedNov. 20, i917.

stitching. In this case I may; also form the side of each cover end with a downwardly extending liap 7c adapted to be clamped to the flanges of the baser which will: hold the cover ends both laterally and longitudi-v nally securely in position on the base.

The4 sides of the cover e are securely clamped to the ianges b of the base a by a plate Z of metal or other suitable material placed upon the sides f of the cover e and by means of suitable vscrews m secured to the flanges o of the base a, see more particularly Figs. l and 3.

To prevent longitudinal displacement of the cover c I 'may form the sides so as to permit of being drawn at the bottom around each end of the base a, see moreparticularly Fig. 3, Awhile'each end of the plate l I bend inwardly to'fit against the 'sides of the cover e drawn around and thereby grip them tightly.

In order to' prevent Vthe lateral displacement of pneumatic armpit supports, I use plates Z for securing the cover tothe flanges of the base @which have at each end a raised part n, which forms a lateral support 'for the cover e on the base a.

For the'samepurpose I may also. provide the cover with means which securely tie each ide of the cover to the remote side of the ase.

For example I secure to the interior of the cover e, see Figs. 7 and 8, at each side a strip 0 having parts cut away tov form a number of straps`,tongues p or the like so disposed that the two strips can interpenetrate and each pass to the remote side of the base where they are clamped with the cover e to the flanges of the base a by means of plates Z.

I may face the cover e with plush or the like soft material.

The armpit support described may be applied to any kind of old or new crutch.

If intended for a crutch with bifurcated upper end, I furnish the said base with two studs g which may be screw-threaded and are suitably secured into the said upper ends, see Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. Referring to Fig. 9, if intended fora crutch with wooden armpit supports, I may by means of the screw-threaded studs g and nuts r, secure a plate s to the underside of the said base a, which plate s projects from each side and is adapted to be suitably secured to the wooden support t.

I claim:

l. ln a crutch armpit support, a base ha ving on each side a downwardly extending iange, an air bag seated on the said base, a cover around the said bag having downwardly extending sides fitting against the said flanges and a plate secured to each of the latter clamping thereto the said cover sides, for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

2. ln a` crutch armpit support, ya base having on each side a downwardly extending flange, an air bag seated on the said base, a cover around the said bag having downwardly extending sides fitting against the said iianges and around the ends of the said base and a plate having each end inwardly bent to clamp the said cover sides both to the said flanges and ends of the said base, for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

3. In a crutch armpit support, a base having on each side a downwardly extending flange, an air bag seated on the said base, a cover around the said bag having downwardly extending sides fitting against the said flanges and a plate secured to each of the latter clamping thereto the said cover sides, the said plate having at each end upwardly extending means for laterally supporting the said cover, for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

fl. In a crutch armpit support, a base having on each side a downwardly extending flange, an air bag seated on the said base, a cover around the said bag having downwardly extending sides and internally blocked ends with downwardly extending flaps fitting against the said flanges and a plate secured to each of the latter clamping thereto the said sides and flaps, for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

5. ln a crutch armpit support, a base having on each side a downwardly extending flange, an air bag seated on the said base, a cover around the said bag having downwardly extending sides and internally at each side straps which interpenetrate and together with the said cover sides fit against the said flanges and a plate secured to each of the latter clamping thereto the said cover sides and straps, for the purpose liereinbefore set forth.

6. ln a crutch armpit support, a base having on each side a downwardly extending flange, an air bag seated on the said base, a cover around the said bag having downwardly extending sides tting against the said flanges and a plate secured to each of the latter clamping thereto the said cover sides and means depending from the underside of the said base for securing the armpit support to the crutch, for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

7. ln a crutch armpit support, a base hav'- ing on each side a downwardly extending ange, an air bag seated on the said base, a cover around the said bag having downwardly extending sides fitting against the said flanges, a plate secured to each of the latter clamping thereto the saidcover sides and means depending from the underside of the said base for securing the armpit support to the crutch, the said means carrying a plate fitting against the bottom edgesof the said flanges and furnished at each side with holes for fastenings, for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.

FRANCES ANNIE PENNINGTON.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the FCommissioner of Patents.

Washington, D.. C." 

